DINER BLUES - Marshall Witten

DINER BLUES    598 June 2014


Janie Bella is a waitress.   
She’s always on her feet.
Lift heavy trays, small tips, guys’ hits –
at quitting time she’s beat.

It’s hard to be a woman alone
Dragging along a stone

Shop for groceries going home. 
His only welcome a grunt.  
No dinner cooked or faucet fixed.
She’s tired of accepting the brunt.

It’s hard to be a woman alone
Putting up with a stone

The trash not emptied, harsh words yelled.
Fix dinner, clean the place,
run the washer, help with homework,
to bed a frazzled case. 

It’s hard to be a woman alone
Dragging along a stone

Alarm at five, quick shower, coffee.
Repeat the day again.   
No respite from the constant grind,
Get’s no respect, plain Jane.

She’s proud to be a woman alone
She does not need this stone